Direct plugging jump line, also known as pre-connected jumpers or pre-terminated jumpers, are fiber optic cables that come with connectors pre-installed on both ends, allowing for quick and easy deployment in optical networks. In this article, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of direct plugging jump lines.
Advantages:
Time-saving and Cost-effective: Direct plugging jump line saves a lot of time and labor cost. It eliminates the need for field installation of connectors, which can be time-consuming and requires skilled technicians.
Consistency: Direct plugging jump line ensures a high level of consistency in connector quality and performance, as they are factory-terminated and tested before shipping. This consistency is especially important in high-speed optical networks, where small variations in connector quality can have a significant impact on network performance.
Lower insertion loss: Direct plugging jump line typically have lower insertion loss than field-terminated connectors. The reason is that the pre-terminated connectors are factory-terminated and tested, ensuring that the fiber ends are perfectly aligned and that there is minimal loss at the connector interface.
Easy to install: Direct plugging jump line is easy to install, and no special tools or training is required. The cable is simply plugged into the optical ports of the network devices.
High Reliability: Direct plugging jump line is highly reliable, as the connectors are factory-terminated and tested to ensure that they meet industry standards for performance and quality.
Disadvantages:
Flexibility: Direct plugging jump line is not very flexible, as the cable length is fixed and cannot be changed once the connector is installed. This means that it may not be suitable for applications that require frequent changes in cable length.
Inventory Management: Since direct plugging jump line comes in fixed lengths, inventory management can be challenging. Multiple lengths of jumpers may need to be stocked, which can lead to increased inventory management costs.
Limited Customization: Direct plugging jump line is not customizable in the field. If a specific length or connector type is needed, a new jumper must be ordered.
Higher Cost: Direct plugging jump line is more expensive than field-terminated connectors. The cost of pre-terminated connectors and cable can be higher than the cost of field-terminated connectors and bulk cable. However, the time and labor savings associated with direct plugging jump line deployment can offset this higher cost.
Conclusion:
Direct plugging jump line offers significant advantages in terms of time and labor savings, consistency, lower insertion loss, easy installation, and high reliability. However, it also has some disadvantages, such as inflexibility, inventory management challenges, limited customization, and higher cost. The decision to use direct plugging jump line should be based on the specific requirements of the optical network and the cost-benefit analysis.
